The Web version of WhatsApp (WhatsApp Web) allows you to use WhatsApp on your Desktop and Laptop computer. You will find below the steps to use WhatsApp Web on PC and Mac.
Use WhatsApp Web on PC & Mac
- WhatsApp is a popular phone app that sends messages over the internet instead of through SMS. It’s available for both Android and iPhone, and you can also download WhatsApp’s desktop app.
- WhatsApp on Mac via BlueStacks Using WhatsApp is even easier on your Mac. Instead of looking at tiny screens and using small on-screen keyboards, you have the ability to see your messages clearly on your large, Mac screen.
The most convenient way to make a Whatsapp video call on Mac is to use an emulator that’ll allow you to replicate your smartphone’s environment on the PC. When it comes to macOS, you can use Bluestacks Emulator to do the job. It’s an Android emulator that’ll help you run a separate virtual Android device on your PC.
The standout feature of WhatsApp web is that it works right away on your PC or Mac, without the need to download WhatsApp messenger software to your computer.
The drawback is that you still need a smartphone with an active WhatsApp Account, in order to use WhatsApp Web on your Windows computer or MacBook.
Whatsapp Desktop Mac Not Working
WhatsApp web basically duplicates or brings your WhatsApp Account from smartphone to the larger screen of your Windows computer or MacBook.
With this understanding, let us go ahead and take a look at the steps to use WhatsApp Web on PC and Mac.
1. Get WhatsApp on Your Phone
As mentioned above, you do need an active WhatsApp Account on your smartphone in order to use WhatsApp Web on PC or Mac.
If you do not yet have a WhatsApp Account, you can refer to our guide to setup and use WhatsApp on Android Phone and WhatsApp on iPhone.
2. Visit WhatsApp
Open Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera or the Edge browser browser on your computer and visit the WhatsApp’s official WhatsApp Web page.
Once you land on WhatsApp’s official WhatsApp Web page, you will see a QR Code on the screen of your computer, prompting you to scan the QR Code.
3. Scan QR Code With Your Phone
1. Open WhatsApp on your phone > tap on the 3-dots menu icon and select WhatsApp Web option in the drop-down menu.
2. Next, point the Rear Camera of your phone towards the QR Code located on the screen of your computer.
3. Once the QR Code appears on the screen of your phone, tap on OK, GOT IT to scan the QR Code.
4. Start Using WhatsApp on Computer
Once the QR Code is scanned by your phone, you will immediately see your WhatsApp Account and Messages on the screen of your computer.
Now, you can start using WhatsApp on your computer, just like you do on your iPhone or Android Phone.
Whatsapp Web
Advantages of WhatsApp Web
1. It is faster to type on a full scale keyboard of your computer, compared to typing on a phone.
2. Your desktop has more processing power, memory and speed compared to a phone. This allows you to send, receive and download pictures and videos faster.
3. You can download media directly to your PC, without having to worry about the storage limit.
Whatsapp Desktop Macos Catalina
Disadvantages of WhatsApp Web
1. You still need your mobile phone with an active WhatsApp Account, unless you make use of this workaround: Use WhatsApp on PC Without Mobile Phone.
2. You may end up using data both on your phone and computer, unless you make sure that you are using WiFi Network on your phone.
3. It is not convenient to use Emoji’s as they are not mapped to your keyboard. You can still add them manually by using the Emoji keyboard available in the web interface
4. WhatsApp does not allow you to block users directly through the web interface. Also, you cannot change your profile picture or profile status while using the web interface.
5. WhatsApp Web interface does not allow you to start a new group chat or leave an existing group Chat.
6. It is advisable not to use WhatsApp Web on a public computer – Well you certainly can use it, but make sure that you Logout of WhatsApp while leaving the public computer.
Talk to all your WhatsApp contacts directly from your Mac
Older versions of WhatsApp Desktop
It's not uncommon for the latest version of an app to cause problems when installed on older smartphones. Sometimes newer versions of apps may not work with your device due to system incompatibilities. Until the app developer has fixed the problem, try using an older version of the app. If you need a rollback of WhatsApp Desktop, check out the app's version history on Uptodown. It includes all the file versions available to download off Uptodown for that app. Download rollbacks of WhatsApp Desktop for Mac. Any version of WhatsApp Desktop distributed on Uptodown is completely virus-free and free to download at no cost.